Under the night sky, two figures swiftly moved between buildings.
Hisagi Shuuhei looked at the chaotic scene below, his eyes filled with hesitation.
"It's no use going to help now."
Ishikawa looked back at Hisagi Shuuhei and continued, "The one controlling the Zanpakuto has already left Seireitei. What's causing chaos within Seireitei right now are just the Zanpakuto of ordinary Squad Members."
"Shinigami and Zanpakuto can be said to be mutually dependent existences. No matter how terrifying a Zanpakuto's ability is, if its master's strength is insufficient, the ability's full potential will be greatly limited."
"And those Zanpakuto that have materialized through other mediums, at the end of the day, still exist by relying on their master's Reiatsu. The strongest power they can unleash will not exceed that of their master."
"Therefore, those Zanpakuto below cannot pose a significant threat to Seireitei at all."
"Furthermore, regarding why the Zanpakuto were controlled, and the method to release their control, I already informed the Onmitsukidō when I was rushing to Squad Nine. Now, the Onmitsukidō has been fully deployed, surrounding the entire Seireitei, and the disturbance caused by these Zanpakuto will soon be quelled."
"Onmitsukidō?"
Hisagi Shuuhei was slightly stunned, then remembered…
Before Captain Ishikawa became the Ninth Division Captain, he had always served in the Onmitsukidō.
No, that's not right.
It should be said that Captain Ishikawa is still a member of the Onmitsukidō, merely temporarily filling the role of Ninth Division Captain.
But even knowing this, Captain Ishikawa bypassing their Ninth Division to command the Onmitsukidō still made Hisagi Shuuhei feel a bit ashamed.
"It's not because I look down on you all. I ordered the Onmitsukidō to act entirely because they are better suited to deal with these rebellious Zanpakuto."
Ishikawa looked at Hisagi Shuuhei's expression and casually said, "Due to the special nature of the Onmitsukidō, all members, including the Commander, must remember one thing: they must not overly rely on their Zanpakuto."
"This is the fundamental difference between the Onmitsukidō, the Kidō Corps, and the Gotei 13 Shinigami. These two parallel organizations do not overly rely on the abilities of their Zanpakuto, but instead focus on unleashing stronger power without their Zanpakuto."
"The Gotei 13 is different. Except for a few individuals, most people rely too much on their Zanpakuto. All their combat techniques and fighting styles are developed based on their Zanpakuto. That's why they are so flustered by the Zanpakuto rebellion."
The Onmitsukidō's primary training direction is Hakuda and Shunpo.
The Kidō Corps' primary training direction is Kidō.
As for the Gotei 13, the primary training direction for most people is to excavate the potential of their Zanpakuto as much as possible, and almost all combat methods are developed around their Zanpakuto.
Of course, there are exceptions.
The Eleventh Division, among the Gotei 13, can be said to be a Squad focused on Zanjutsu. Because the Squad Members look down on various Kidō-type Zanpakuto abilities, most of the Eleventh Division's Zanpakuto are direct attack types, meaning that even if they materialize, they can only clash head-on with their masters.
It's not that the Gotei 13's approach is bad. After all, a Zanpakuto's ability, in essence, is a unique characteristic of each Shinigami, and the existence of Asauchi merely materializes this characteristic.
Even with Seireitei in such chaos, Ishikawa doesn't believe the Zanpakuto rebellion will have much impact on Seireitei.
As for being unable to release their Zanpakuto?
That's even more nonsensical.
A Zanpakuto possesses the will that governs its power, which is its so-called true form. Shinigami draw out power by conversing with this true form, and this true form is merely a clone born from the Shinigami's will.
Since it's their own ability, how could it disappear due to the rebellion of a 'will'?
The reason they couldn't achieve release was entirely because the 'Zanpakuto's true form' had always acted as a switch. A Zanpakuto's true form, being in sync with its master, greatly reduced the difficulty of release. This is the importance of communicating with one's Zanpakuto.
After the initial discomfort, all Shinigami would be able to achieve release without their true form.
When Ishikawa first achieved release, he hadn't communicated with his Zanpakuto at all, and there was no so-called synchronicity between his Zanpakuto and him.
The only thing to be wary of are the Captain-level Zanpakuto, whose true forms, due to their masters' strength, can fully unleash their abilities, making them undoubtedly terrifying.
Of course…
There should also be exceptions. At least, Ishikawa doesn't believe that the dog in his spiritual world, which he could easily step on and kill, could unleash much destructive power.
But back to the main topic.
Regarding the Captain-level Zanpakuto, Ishikawa had already discovered when he left Sōkyoku Hill that all Captain-level Zanpakuto—including the true forms of many Vice-Captains' Zanpakuto—had already left Seireitei.
It was as if the person behind the scenes wanted to gather all the Captain-level Zanpakuto to achieve a certain goal.
Ishikawa didn't know where they went because their departure was too sudden.
But the goal of that person behind the scenes, even disregarding the information in his own memory, was easy to guess.
Because in the entire Soul Society, there is only one person who requires all Captain-level Shinigami to be restricted simultaneously!
The Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13…
—Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto!
As long as the Captain-level Zanpakuto are not within Seireitei, they won't cause too much of a stir. The immediate priority now is to confirm whether Orihime is still at the Thirteenth Division's training grounds in the back mountains.
According to Rukia, after she received the assembly notice, she departed for the meeting point.
And Orihime was left by her at the Gotei 13's training grounds in the back mountains. If this incident is truly orchestrated by Aizen, then the most dangerous place in Seireitei right now is the Thirteenth Division, where Orihime is!
With this thought, Ishikawa's Shunpo surged again.
Hisagi Shuuhei, seeing this, hurriedly quickened his pace, barely managing to keep up behind Ishikawa.
"Hehehehe— You really are useless, aren't you? I'm even deliberately slowing down for you, and you still can't catch up."
Kazeshini appeared beside Hisagi, mockingly saying, "Do you want this great me to give you a hand?"
"…." Hisagi Shuuhei.
Although Kazeshini had returned to normal, this was the first time he realized that his Zanpakuto was actually a chatterbox…
However, he was always muttering in his ear during Zanjutsu training too.
So, he had never had a good impression of Kazeshini, always feeling as if he were a darkness lurking deep within his soul, a darkness he himself wasn't even aware of.
That being said, Kazeshini still transformed into a black whirlwind, enveloping Hisagi Shuuhei and quickly catching up to Ishikawa.
Seeing this, Ishikawa couldn't help but glance at Kazeshini.
It must be said that a Zanpakuto materialized through Muramasa's ability can indeed provide great assistance to its master.
Unfortunately, as far as Ishikawa knew.
It seems there are no examples of Zanpakuto being able to remain materialized for a long time. Of course, it's possible they exist, and he just doesn't know about them.
With Kazeshini's help, Ishikawa quickened his pace again.
The reason he brought Hisagi along was not to have him help in combat, but to have him take Orihime to the other Captains while he held off the enemy.
This sudden turn of events, coupled with the Zanpakuto rebellion leaving the Captains preoccupied, meant there wasn't enough time to gather the other Captains.
It would be better for him to temporarily hold off the enemy, and then have Hisagi take Orihime to actively rendezvous with the other Captains.
Under the rapid sprint of the two people and one sword, Ishikawa and the others soon entered the Thirteenth Division's district.
Here, just like in other areas, the Squad Members of the Thirteenth Division, led by their Seated Officers, were fending off the attacks of the Zanpakuto. Although they didn't have the upper hand, they were in a stalemate.
But…
There was no Arrancar Reiatsu.
Moreover, Orihime's Reiatsu was currently located within the Thirteenth Division's barracks. From the fluctuations, it seemed she was currently treating the Thirteenth Division's Squad Members.
Did he overthink it?
Ishikawa frowned slightly, taking Hisagi Shuuhei and leaping over the battlefield from atop a building, heading directly into the Thirteenth Division's barracks.
"Mr. Ishikawa?"
Just as Ishikawa had guessed, inside the barracks, Orihime was treating the continuously arriving Thirteenth Division Squad Members. Upon seeing Ishikawa, she immediately brightened, "Why are you here? Where is Kucihki? She went out earlier and hasn't returned. What exactly happened outside?"
"Captain Ishikawa."
"Ishikawa."
"…."
The surrounding Squad Members, upon seeing Ishikawa, rejoiced as if they had found their pillar of strength.
Having a Captain present and not having one was a world of difference.
Ishikawa swept his gaze across the courtyard, shaking his head slightly in his mind.
It seemed he had indeed overthought it.
"Is something wrong?"
Orihime noticed Ishikawa's abnormality, as if she thought of something, and hurriedly stepped forward, "Are you injured anywhere?"
"No."
Ishikawa shook his head slightly, his tightly furrowed brows relaxing as he habitually revealed his signature gentle smile.
However…
"Shiiing—!"
Just then, an extremely ear-piercing shriek suddenly erupted from the depths of Ishikawa's soul. The sound was incredibly bizarre; upon entering his mind, it even caused Ishikawa's body to sway slightly, his vision blurring for an instant.
But the next second…
Ishikawa's expression darkened. He grabbed Hisagi Shuuhei beside him and, without waiting for a reaction, pulled him out of the Thirteenth Division's barracks.
Pfft—
Blood bloomed from Ishikawa's chest, a deep, bone-visible sword wound appearing abruptly on his chest.
"Captain!?"
Hisagi Shuuhei, pulled by Ishikawa to the outside of the Thirteenth Division's barracks, his pupils constricting, looked incredulously at Captain Ishikawa beside him, not understanding why he had suddenly been injured.
But before he could ask, he noticed that the surroundings had suddenly become eerie.
The previously bustling battlefield became incredibly silent, incredibly oppressive… He looked up and realized that whether it was the Shinigami and Zanpakuto who were fiercely fighting earlier, or the Squad Members transporting the wounded, or even the wounded themselves… all had fallen into silence.
Pairs of eyes, one after another, turned towards the two of them.
The entire area, in that instant, seemed to have been put on pause.
"Is this how you greet me after such a long absence?"
Just then, Captain Ishikawa's voice entered Hisagi's ears. Turning to look, he realized that Captain Ishikawa, who had been clutching his chest earlier, now had no trace of a wound on his chest at all; only his tattered clothes bore the marks of being cut by a sword.
Moreover…
At this moment, Captain Ishikawa's pupils were no longer pitch black, but revealed an extremely eerie azure color.
"Captain Aizen!"
Captain Aizen?
Hisagi Shuuhei was startled, then his expression changed drastically.
Whoosh—
A gentle breeze blew, and everyone around them seemed to be blown away like dust, dissipating.
Hisagi only felt his vision blur, and when he opened his eyes again, he found that the Shinigami and Zanpakuto who had been fiercely fighting not long ago had all disappeared.
The entire area was empty!
The Thirteenth Division barracks, which had been brightly lit, now appeared completely dark.
And the female human from the Human World had also disappeared, replaced by a person in white clothes, with an incredibly familiar appearance.
That was…
Former Fifth Division Captain—Aizen Sōsuke!
This is bad.
Ishikawa looked at Aizen in the courtyard, his nerves almost instantly stretched to their limit.
He truly hadn't expected Aizen to come to Soul Society in person!
Originally, according to his estimation, a few of the Espada should have come, or even just one.
After all, Aizen's goal was merely to take Orihime to Hueco Mundo amidst the chaos in Soul Society; there was no need for a battle.
"Are you surprised I came?"
Meeting Ishikawa's gaze, Aizen chuckled lightly, "Or do you think it's impossible for me to risk coming to Soul Society and directly confronting Captain-Commander Yamamoto before I've fully merged with the Hōgyoku?"
Ishikawa didn't answer, but instead stared intently at Aizen, rapidly thinking of a countermeasure in his mind.
Aizen didn't wait for his reply, but continued to speak to himself, "Your guess isn't wrong. Living in this world, one inevitably encounters risks. Avoiding risks can be said to be a survival instinct, but…"
"If the reward outweighs the risk, I think many people would choose to take the risk."
"And you…"
Aizen's gaze fell on Ishikawa, and he said gently, "You are clearly worth me personally inviting you. After refusing my invitations several times, as the host, I had no choice but to come and invite you myself."
Ishikawa narrowed his eyes and said, "Then your invitation method, Lord Aizen, is truly unique."
What kind of invitation is this…
Who invites someone by immediately giving them a slash?
If it weren't for that inexplicable voice in his mind, Ishikawa might have already been cut in half by that strike.
"I'd very much like to go with you, Lord Aizen, but you might not be aware that after you left, due to the vacancy of a Captain, I am still working for the Gotei 13." Ishikawa smiled slightly, pulling Hisagi behind him, and chuckled, "And as you know, my attitude towards work has always been to do it to the best of my ability, so if I want to accept your invitation, I still need to consult Captain-Commander Yamamoto, as I am currently working for him."
Aizen shook his head slightly upon hearing this, "Give up. He won't come here. Or rather, even if he discovers I've come to Soul Society, he won't be able to rush back immediately."
"The reason is simple: because he is the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13."
Aizen chuckled lightly, "The Zanpakuto rebellion is just a minor inconvenience for him. It's not difficult to subdue the Zanpakuto."
"But his duty as Captain-Commander prevents him from subduing them immediately. Instead, he will try his best to stay far away from Seireitei, even from Rukongai, to find a remote place that will absolutely not endanger the safety of Soul Society, and then proceed with the subduing work."
"Because he deeply understands how much destruction the process of him subduing the Zanpakuto would cause to Seireitei, and even to Soul Society. As the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, he must prevent such a situation from happening."
"So, you're doing this just to get Captain-Commander Yamamoto out of Seireitei?" Ishikawa asked.
Aizen glanced at Ishikawa and shook his head slightly:
"Asking questions you already know the answers to, just to stall for time, is completely unnecessary." With that, he glanced at Hisagi Shuuhei, who was shielded behind Ishikawa, and continued, "Requests for help cannot be sent out. Strictly speaking, whatever happens within this area cannot be detected by the outside."
"So, what do you plan to do now?"
"Ishikawa."